Viola Sonata, Op. 120, Piano Trio, Op. 114

The late Brahms BRAHMS – Viola-Sonatas & Trio "Brahms’ Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 was one of the first works Daniel and I played together 22 years ago. We already noted the work’s weighty, intense urgency: with wide interval leaps and abrupt emotional shifts from the onset, it feels like a voyage between continents. The beginning flows like lava; later on, the second theme raises its sweet melody in soft hues, striving toward heaven. Through the years, Daniel and I have explored and played many works by Brahms. Daniel has gotten to know Brahms’ lieder output particularly well; in my case, I have become quite familiar with the chamber and orchestral music. Each new exploration of a work by Brahms has added something to our insight; our current interpretation of the late sonatas, Op. 120, has profited from that accumulated experience. Thus we have worked through his output from back to front, so to speak. Brahms’ Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 was one of the first works Daniel and I played together 22 years ago. We already noted the work’s weighty, intense urgency: with wide interval leaps and abrupt emotional shifts from the onset, it feels like a voyage between continents. The beginning flows like lava; later on, the second theme raises its sweet melody in soft hues, striving toward heaven. Through the years, Daniel and I have explored and played many works by Brahms. Daniel has gotten to know Brahms’ lieder output particularly well; in my case, I have become quite familiar with the chamber and orchestral music. Each new exploration of a work by Brahms has added something to our insight; our current interpretation of the late sonatas, Op. 120, has profited from that accumulated experience. Thus we have worked through his output from back to front, so to speak..."